Bachelor of Health Science

The Bachelor of Health Science is a 3 year full time course offered at the Caulfield campus.

The course provides foundation learning in health sciences with a global health theme.  Major study options are available in health programs and policy, and clinical and public health sciences.

The Bachelor of Health Science also offers an excellent Pre-Med preparation (PMP) for graduate medical, physiotherapy, nursing or social work programs.

The Monash School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (SPHPM)   is one of the largest Schools of Public Health in the Asia Pacific region. It collaborates extensively with medical research institutes, government departments, Non-government organisations and hospital departments throughout Australia and globally. It has particularly strong collaborations with institutes and other Schools of Public Health in the Asia Pacific Region.

The Bachelor of Health Science is a flagship program of the School. It is a ‘new generation’ degree that provides flexible options for students with defined career pathways and serves as a substantial foundation program for students enrolling in graduate entry clinical programs.

• What will I study? 
• Pre-requisites for 2010 entry 
• Are there any extra requirements for Health Science? 
• How do I apply?   
• What if I am an international student?  
• Career Opportunities    

Course Co-ordinator: Professor Helen Keleher

What will I study?

Course structure

The Bachelor of Health Science is made up of 24 units

* 13 core units
* 6 major sequence units
* 5 electives

A major study requires a minimum of two units at second year level and two units at third year level.  There are 6 core  units in Year 1; 4 core units in Year 2; and 3 core units in Year 3. Students take core units in which they learn about public health and its determinants, human biology, epidemiology, research and critical thinking, global health, health care systems, health and society, disease prevention and control and health law and ethics. All graduates will be equipped with scientific understandings requisite to postgraduate studies in medicine, allied health, public health, and honours and higher research degrees.

Major sequences

Major sequences of study equip graduates for inter-related vocational pathways in health programs and policy, and clinical and public health sciences.  Core studies allow students to see the synergies between these pathways.  Major sequences provide students the opportunity to pursue more in-depth studies of particular areas.

Health programs & policy major

The health programs and policy sequence prepares graduates to meet public health challenges in a complex, globalised world.  Building and elaborating on core units, the health programs and policy stream examines strategies for preventing illness and injury, and health promotion for improving health of individuals, families, communities and wider  populations.  Students will acquire skills including program design, planning, management, research and evaluation; critical appraisal of evidence; policy analysis and design; and organisational and health communication skills. They will gain knowledge of different cultures, contexts and settings in which policy, program and prevention strategies are developed and implemented.

Clinical & public health sciences major

The clinical and public health sciences sequence also builds and elaborates on core units. It has a focus on detailed studies of research methods and approaches for public health program design, analysis and evaluation, clinical research and disease management and prevention in different settings and contexts. Students will acquire skills in critical appraisal of evidence, the design and conduct of clinical research, pharmacological and occupational health research, and strategies and approaches for improving health. Such skills can be applied in a variety of public health and clinical research careers. 

Electives provide students the opportunity to select complementary studies and/or pursue academic interests from across the SPHPM, the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and the wider university. Four electives can be chosen from outside the Faculty.

Fieldwork

Students in the health programs and policy stream will be expected to undertake a 180 hours of fieldwork placement in year 3.

Course structure for the Bachelor of Health Science

Course Objectives

On successful completion of the BHSc, it is expected that the student will be able to:

1. demonstrate the knowledge, skills and technical competency appropriate for an entry level practitioner in professional fields of health promotion or health policy and management
2. value research and be skilled at accessing, critically appraising and applying the best available evidence to the professional fields of health promotion or health policy and management
3. develop health promotion knowledge and skills, and management skills for improved utilisation of the resources required to advance population health and wellbeing
4. recognise population health and wellbeing issues associated with social and cultural diversity and the skills and resources required for working across diverse populations
5. demonstrate awareness of equity, and health, and human rights and social justice
6. demonstrate awareness of the determinants of illness, health and wellbeing
7. integrate knowledge of relevant public policy and health and social care systems into practice
8. demonstrate critical awareness of the relationships between population health and wellbeing, and the policy and institutions framing health and social care systems, and a capacity to utilise this awareness in the advancement of population health and wellbeing
9. achieve a broad education based on independent learning, critical thinking, problem-solving and evaluation.

Duration of the course

3 years full-time / 6 years part-time.

Campus

Caulfield (part-time or full time)

Professional accreditation

Graduates of the BHSc are eligible to join the Public Health Association or Australia, the Australian Health Promotion Association and the Australian Epidemiology Association.

Pre-requisites

Satisfactory completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or equivalent, including the prerequisites: VCE units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 30 in English (ESL) or 25 in any other English.

Middle-band Statement

A study score of at least 25 or more in biology, chemistry, classical societies and cultures, contemporary Australian society, environmental science, health and human development, geography, history (any), legal studies, literature, LOTE (any), media studies, philosophy, politics (any) psychology or sociology = an aggregate 2 points higher per subject to a maximum of 6 points.

Non-year 12 applicants: ENTER (TER), the entire academic record, including GPA.

Are there any extra requirements for Health Science

YES. Prospective students should be aware of the following requirements:

Police Checks

Organisations which host clinical and community placements require students to have current Police and Working with Children checks regarding their suitability to undertake such placements.  All enrolled and prospective students are advised that they will be required to obtain and pay for Police and Working with Children checks prior to undertaking their course.

Vaccinations

The faculty recommends that all students accept responsibility for having up-to-date immunisations before commencing this course. Recommended immunisations include diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, tuberculosis and hepatitis B.

How do I apply?

Application for entry into the Bachelor of Health Science is through VTAC.  Please refer to the VTAC website for closing date information.

Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre
(VTAC)
40 Park Street
South Melbourne
Victoria 3205
Telephone: +61 3 1300 364 133
www.vtac.edu.au

Selection mode

Current Year 12:        ENTER (TER)

Non-Year 12:        ENTER (TER)
                               Entire academic record, including GPA

Campus Maps

Printable campus maps

Parking on campus

Parking is available on campus for staff and students based on a permit system. Visitors to the campus have access to metered parking located at various points around campus.

What if I am an international student?

The Bachelor of Health Science is available to International students.
3 year full-time degree
CRICOS code: 068365J

Monash University International course enquiries:

study@monash.edu (for international enquiries)

Are you an International Student?

Please check the Undergraduate/ Postgraduate Course Guide for  International Students or visit  www.monash.edu.au/intoff/AGOV.html.

This guide contains important information regarding Australian Government requirements and conditions for study in Australia, living costs, course fees, health insurance, working while you study, work rights for your husband or wife and schooling for your children.

Information about visa applications can be obtained from

www.immi.gov.au/students/ and www.dfat.gov.au/missions/

Your application for a student visa will be assessed according to the visa criteria applicable to your Assessment Level. Your Assessment Level is determined by the passport you hold and the education sector for which you are seeking a student visa. www.immi.gov.au/students/.

Further Information

Department of Health Social Science
School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
Monash University
Building T, Level 3
900 Dandenong Road
(PO Box 197)
Caulfield East, Victoria, 3145
Australia
Telephone +61 3 9903 1680
Fax +61 3 9903 1658

Email:
healthsocialscience@med.monash.edu.au

Course Brochure (pdf)